March Madness in a basketball stadium on television

The Future of College Basketball: New Tournaments, Rising Women's Viewership, and Media Rights

Posted at: 9/12/2023

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March Madness, the annual college basketball event that grips the nation, has always been a major highlight on the sports calendar. But 2023 brought some surprising developments in the world of college hoops, from new tournament proposals to a seismic shift in viewership patterns. Here's a deep dive into what's happening.

New Postseason Event on the Horizon

In a groundbreaking move, the Big East, Big 12, and Big Ten are in the initial stages of discussions about a potential 16-team, single-site postseason men's basketball event. This would be specifically for teams that don't make the cut for the NCAA Tournament. With the proposed location being the state-of-the-art T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the event promises to be a spectacle.

Interestingly, these discussions are influenced by the financial ties these conferences have with the Fox television network. If this new tournament sees the light of day, it could shake the very foundations of the long-standing National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

However, not everyone is on board. Some power conferences have shown resistance to joining this endeavor, which has raised questions about its viability.

March Madness 2023: A Tale of Two Tournaments

This year's March Madness was a study in contrasts. The Women’s March Madness saw unprecedented viewership, with the championship game registering an average of 9.92 million viewers. This wasn't just a record for women's games; the match was the most-streamed sporting event (for both men and women) on ESPN+ to date.

In stark contrast, the men's championship game experienced a dip, pulling in 14.69 million viewers, which was lower than previous years.

Media Rights: A Landscape in Flux

As the popularity of women's college basketball surges, media rights are coming under the spotlight. Currently, ESPN shells out an estimated $34 million for the rights to women’s basketball and other women's college sports. With the current contract ending after the 2023-24 season, the NCAA is forecasting the women's tournament alone could be valued at a whopping $85 million or more by 2025.

This anticipated increase isn't just about numbers. The world of women's college basketball is buzzing with star players like Caitlan Clark, Angel Reese, and many more, who are raising the sport's profile. Their impact is felt not just within the NCAA but is also expected to benefit leagues like the WNBA.

The world of college basketball is undergoing significant changes, from tournament structures to viewership patterns and media rights negotiations. As fans, we're on the cusp of a new era, and it promises to be an exciting journey.

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